Materials: Plastic fish (with numerals or
sets of dots printed on them). Fairly large clean plastic bowl or container,
some small clean fish nets. (You can get them for real cheap at some dollar
stores if you look hard).

Description: Place the fish in the bowl or
container. The children can use the nets to 'catch' the fish and state what number
is represented on them. This can be introduced in a small group setting but
made available during free play.Depending on the age of the children, the
numbers on the fish could be larger or include the numeral. You can also incorporate
diversity by including a variety of fish (types, sizes, colors).

Introduce the activity by having someone
bring in some fish for the group to see and talk about. You could even visit a local
pet store. On a sunny day, put some goldfish in a wadding pool and let the children
watch them swim around. Be awareof safety and of what you plan to do with
the fish (class pet?).

Read The Rainbow Fish or have
some silly fun by readingOne Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
by Dr. Seuss.

Comments: Have some fishy fun by introducing
the children to some real fish and taking some pictures to display in your
room.

Bulletin
Board: Rainbow FishYoung children participate in the creation
of this bulletin board by
Rennea G. which can be used for several
themes.

Description: Teachers or children cut out
fish in different colors. Cut different tissue paper colors including shinny
paper. Have children glue tissue paper onto fish for scales and let
dry.

Get blue butcher paper and sponge paint a
lighter blue over it. You can also have children do this. Get brown butcher paper
and glue sand on it for the ocean floor.Tear long strips of green butcher paper
for seaweed. Use brown paper as large rocks (3-D style) under the ocean.

Put up the blue paper then the brown.
Next put up a border. Staple seaweed where you want it. Make
3-D rocks and staple them up. Finally, glue sea shells onto the ocean floor.
Include the title
The Rainbow Fish and then
staple up the children's fish.Comments: This bulletin board can be used
with the book The Rainbow Fish,a pet theme or an ocean / sea theme.

Making
Rainbow FishYoungsters use fine motor skills during
this hands on literacy activity by Annette F. and also learn about
sea life.

Materials: The book The Rainbow Fish by
Marcus Pfister. card stock or construction
paper of various colors or white to be finger painted. A pattern of a fish (I draw one based on
the fish in the book).A fish scale pattern with many scales of
many colors.Transparent plastic paper with an iridescent
effect & Aluminum foil.

Description: We read the book THE RAINBOW
FISH then we talk about the story and make "Rainbow Fish". Each child
picks out a fish, either white to be finger-painted bright colors or cut out
of a brightly colored piece of paper or card stock. Scales are then cut out
of brightly colored paper, aluminum foil, and iridescent paper. One
scale for each child is made of aluminum foil with iridescent plastic
paper glued on top. This creates the look of the special rainbow
fish scales that are to be shared with each fish.

Each child gets to pick out several scales
and gets one "rainbow scale as described above". They glue their scales
on their fish. We talk about how good sharing is and how the rainbow
fish was much happier once he shared beautiful scales with the other fish.

Comments: The students hands on involvement
of cutting, designing, etc. is adaptable for several different age groups
depending upon ability.

Cooking:
Snacks for a Rainbow Fish ThemeTamara suggests these teacher made
snacks saying, "When we were doing the Rainbow Fish activities, I tried
to think of some snacks that went along with the theme."

Description: For lunch, I made soup and sandwiches. I
used a cookie cutter to cut the bread, meat and cheese to make sandwiches, and
sprinkled goldfish crackers in the soup.Children can help by using the cookie cutters.

For snack time, I made blue Jell-O and poured
it into clear disposable cups. After it had been refrigerated for about
an hour, I sprinkled gummy fish inside, making sure they all went into the Jell-O.

Red
& Blue ColorsYoungsters use their
color recognition, fine motor and creative skills during this early childhood
activity from Julie H.

Materials: Sheet of art paper for each child.Red wax crayons.Cardboard template with a fish cut out of
the center.Blue paint thinned as a wash.Paint brushes.Glue sticksSilver glitter

Description: Ask children to place the fish
templates on their art paper and cover over the fish with their red wax
crayons (this needs to be quite thick coloring).Move the fish around so there are a number
of fish on the page.Children then paint the whole page with
the blue wash. The paint won't adhere to the crayon and the fish will show through. When
the paint dries, children dab glue coming out of the fish's mouth as bubbles.
Sprinkle glitter onto the glue and shake off the excess glitter.

Ask children to name the color of the fish
and the water. These make lovely decorations around the classroom.
Read The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
with this activity.

Comments: Use strong cardboard for the templates
so they won't be destroyed by rough coloring.

Rainbow
Fish and SharingJulie H. offers this hands on activity
and encourages children to share a beautiful shiny fish scale with a friend.

Description: Paint the fish shaped serving
bowl on the outside, textured side with your three or four colors. Place the
construction paper over this painted area and rub to make a painting of
the fish on this paper. It is similar to leaf rubbings but the area
is much larger and more textured.

After the rubbing is complete, sprinkle the
wet painted surface of your fish with clear glitter. Once it is dry
the painting will shimmer and shine just like the rainbow fish.

Then, pour a small amount of clear drying
glue on a small piece of aluminum foil and sprinkle that with the clear,
large flaked glitter. Once dry, the glue is clear and all you have
is a small, shiny "fish scale" that each child may have. Then ask the child
to give his "scale to a friend" Be sure and keep track of who receives
and who does not receive a scale. Make a few suggestions to insure
that every child exchanges their scale with someone.

The
Rainbow Fish ShirtAli suggests this creative story
time activity that takes advantage of a T-shirt.

Materials: An old T-shirt with velcro patches
sewn on, several shiny card scales with velcro on the back, the story The
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.

Description: Attach the scales to the shirt
using the velcro, share the story of The Rainbow Fish while wearing the
shirt. As you come to the part about the fish sharing the scales start to detach the scales
and pass them out to the children. The children can take turns being
The
Rainbow Fish.

Comments: The shiny scales keep the attention
of even very young children

Bubble
Rainbow FishJennifer encourages very young children
to use fine motor skills as they tear paperand use color recognition skills while retelling
a popular story.

Description: Before reading the book the
teacher cuts fish shapes out of bubble wrap (the kind you mail packages
in). After the story, children will create their own rainbow fish
by gluing two fish cutouts together and leaving an opening at the tail.
The children will tear small pieces of tissue paper and stuff the
paper into the opening. When the children are satisfied that their
fish is colorful enough or fat enough, the children will glue the opening
shut. These look great hanging from a classroom ceiling!Literacy
or Felt Board Area: "Five Little Fish"Robin C. shares
several activities for your Rainbow Fish theme. The first activity integrates
literacy and counting with a poem.

Materials: Felt, flannel
board and this poem.

Description:
Cut five fish shapes out of felt. Place the shapes on a flannel board.
As you read the poem below, let the children take turns "catching" the
fish by removing them from the flannel board.

Five little fish swimming
by the shore. One got caught, and then there were
four. Four little fish swimming in the sea. One got caught, and then there were
three. Three little fish swimming in the
blue. One got caught, and then there were
two. Two little fish swimming in the sun. One got caught, and then there was
one. One little fish swimming for home Decided 'twas best never to roam.

I'm a Little Fishy(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot) I'm a little fishy, I can swim. Here is my tail, Here is my fin. When I want to have fun With my friends, I wiggle my tail and Dive right in.

Table Toy Area: Sorting Fish: Purchase several different
kinds and colors of small plastic fish. Place them all in a basket. Let the children
take turns sorting them by color, by shape and by size.

Art Area:Paper Plate Fish: Give each child a paper
plate with a triangular mouth shape drawn on one side. Have the children cut
out the triangles. (The openings are the mouth of the fish.) Then have them glue
the triangular pieces on the opposite sides of their plates to make tails.
Let the children complete their fish by drawing on eyes and coloring them
as desired.

Science:
Set up an aquarium or a bowl of fish at your science table. Make a poster
to hang above the aquarium that shows the parts of a fish (body, eyes,
fins, gills and tail). Discuss the proper care of fish and let the children
take turns with the feeding. Have the children observe the fish and draw
pictures of their observations. While discussing their findings,
ask questions such as these: "How do fish swim? What are the gills used for?
Do fish sleep?"

For story time read;One Fish Two Fish Red Fish
Blue Fish by Dr. SeussThe Man Who Caught Fish
by Walter Lyon KrudopWhat happens to fish, flowers, field
mice and other living things when ponds freeze and the cold winds blow?
by Nancy Van Laan & Susan Gaber

Rainbow
Fish ScalesDuring this easy activity from Sally
W. children create their own special fish scales.

Description: After reading The Rainbow
Fish by Marcus Pfister ask the students to cut a scale out of tag board
and decorated it with the opal glitter and glue. When it is dry a hole
can be punched in the top and made into a necklace. The students love having
their own scale.

Description:1. Children paint inside and outside
of shoe box.2 Teacher cuts cardboard shapes of
rainbow fish, children assemble with silver paper and colored paper
scales, (precut).3. Children assemble precut octopus with
body, eyes and tentacles.4. Starfish - children roll sausage
shape with playdough, cut five similar lengths, join 5 lengths together,
point ends of lengths.Sea anemones -
children roll small balls with playdough and stick short pieces of straw or thin tubing
lengths, children can cut lengths.

Comments: This activity lasted for a week.
Although a fair bit of adult help is required in the preparation the children
are highly motivated to complete the full scene. The playdough elements in particular
lend themselves to independent work. The finished diorama stimulates a
considerable amount of talk when the children take it home.Sharing:
Rainbow FishThis early childhood
literacy lesson plan by Marlin G. begins during circle time andis extended into an
art activity then back into another literacy activity.

Materials: Book- Rainbow FishPre-cut shapes of fish or if child is old
enough, drawn shapes that they cut out, OR colored pieces of construction paper
and encourage each child to draw a fish (this depends on age and development of
the child).fabric scraps,beanspaper scraps collage materials for gluing.glue & glitter

Description: Start with reading The Rainbow
Fish by Marcus Pfister at circle time. Talk about where fish live (under
the water). create an imaginary scale for sharing. As the rainbow fish
gives away his scales, teachers give a child a scale and then as the rainbow
fish give scales to other fish, encourage each child to give the scale
to the child beside them until every child has given the imaginary scale
to all children and back to the teacher.

After the story ask individual children to
tell something about the story. As children answer have the art center
already set up and start with a child that can work unsupervised for a
little while. Send them to the art center to create their own rainbow fish.
DO NOT BRING OUT GLITTER UNTIL LAST.

After the children have created their rainbow
fish, provide glitter for children to use as they make a glitter scale.
After the fish has dried and you can handle it place the fish in front
of the child who dictates to the teacher their own fish story. The teacher
writes down the story while asking open ended questions to encourage the
child's story development. Display the fish with the story attached.

The next day take the fish and story to circle
time and tell the child's story giving the child credit for being the author.

Extensions: 1. Add plastic fish to the water table and
let children pretend to be fishing.2. Add cookie cutters shaped like fish to
playdough area.3. Add plastic fish to house keeping with
pans for pretend cooking.4. Add swim wear and goggles to dramatic
play etc.

Comments: Works great and children love it!

Rainbow
Fish Bubble WrapTamara offers this easy fishy bubble wrap
that even very young children can create. Older youngsters can do the tracing,
cutting, taping and draw their own fish eyes.

Description: The night before, I traced
a simple shape of a fish onto the bubble wrap (on the smooth side, 2 per
child). Then I taped the fish together, with the bubble side inside, leaving
a small opening on the back.

The day of the lesson, I put several different
colors of tissue paper on the table and the kids tore each sheet into smaller
pieces. They stuffed their fish with the tissue paper, being sure
to include some silver pieces for the sparkly scales. We also had gold
and several pastel shades. When the fish were stuffed, I finished taping
them closed the rest of the way and used the pen to draw eyes and a mouth
for the kids. The bubbles on the inside looked really neat and made them
look pretty real.

The children were ages: 2-4 (we had one that
was 1.5 and 2 that were 6), they all did fine.

Bulletin
Board: "Bubble Wrap Rainbow Fish"Darlene A. suggests this preschool
activity with the warning, "This is a fun (but messy) activity, that represents
recycling and introduces the children to printing."

Description: First, tape the bubble wrap
to the table to prevent it from slipping. Ask the children to paint on their area
of wrap with paint and brushes. After the children have enjoyed painting
their areas, take a fish cut out and press it down on top of the bubble
wrap. It will pick up the paint as well as some designs from the
bubble wrap creating a beautiful fish! When the paint has dried stick
on the sticker to make an eye, and you can also glue on some beautiful
silvery foil scales just like the Rainbow Fish has!

Comments: This is a really fun project but
I will warn you it can be messy with bubbles popping and paint spraying, but
the outcome is a beauty and the children have so much fun. This makes a great
school of fish bulletin board display when finished and of course include the Rainbow
Fish book at story time.

Description: Give each child a paper plate
with a triangle cut out of the side (to make the fish's mouth). Allow children
to glue the different colored construction paper to it providing 1 piece
of aluminum foil to make a shiny scale like the rainbow fish. After
they have created their fish allow them to glue a wiggly eye on it.
Then let them cut out the fin and tail patterns and glue to their fish.

Comments: I read The Rainbow Fish
by Marcus Pfister before doing this activity